This episode really delivered. No reservations this week, and I'd agree with Jonny 100%: the cinematography was great. Just out of interest, how faithful have the two episodes so far been to the books? I haven't read any of them, but I'll definitely be looking out for them now.

I was thinking of reading the books because I read that a lot had to be condensed in order to make each one feature length. There's also a whole book--1977--completely missing. So I may just give these a go.

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"Allow me to explain. Your mother is a whore, your father is a damn thief, and your grandfather is a notorious fag... and as for your sister..." - Yodlaf Peterson

I finally got round to watching the second and third films over the weekend. I thought the second one was exceptional: the best of the bunch. I enjoyed the third one but thought the conclusion was a bit of a let down, compared to the brilliance of the second part's ending.

Overall, I though the series was very good, but there were details that really needed expanding on. I reckon the books would probably be a much more rewarding experience.

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"Allow me to explain. Your mother is a whore, your father is a damn thief, and your grandfather is a notorious fag... and as for your sister..." - Yodlaf Peterson

The third was fine, but cluttered. I enjoyed it, but it was hard to follow what was going on. I'd agree with Paul: Part 2 was the pick of the litter. I'll be interested to see what our American cousins make of it, assuming it gets shown Stateside.

Phill

I was thinking of reading the books because I read that a lot had to be condensed in order to make each one feature length. There's also a whole book--1977--completely missing. So I may just give these a go.

I'd highly recommend spending time reading the novels Paul, i read the lot in abouth 2 months a couple of years ago. 1977 fills a lot of holes but i wouldn't expect to have a coherent story, Peace writes a lot like Burroughs/James Ellroy short and punchy. I wasn't sure what happened at the end of the novels tbh but after watching the series i was like "Oh yea got yer " I'd love to see Peace's GB84 set around the Miners strike made the novel is one of the best I've read in a decade no kidding ! Anyway if there's apiece of t.v that beats Red Riding this year I'll be damned (utd) !

I saw snippets of the broadcasts - not enough to have any idea but enough to pique my interest (I remember the whole Yorkshire Ripper killings and enquiry quite clearly from my youth, plus being from Sunderland there was all the Wearside Jack tapes and letters which led to a lot of focus on the city (or town as it was back then!) and a few mates had family members questioned by the Old Bill about matters).

Anyway, as not to digress too much, I decided to read the books before watching the episodes and picked up the first two books on Friday night in Asda - read 1974 yesterday and 100 pages through 1977 - great stuff - certainly highly recommended. I'm worried I'm going to finish 1977 later today and not have 1980 to crack on with!

I was slightly disappointed by the films. I read all four books back to back very quickly and I felt that the films, despite trying to emphasise their dark sides in the trailers, never managed to be half as dark as the novels, particularly at the ending of the final chapter.

Mark GW

First part, 1974, was repeated on MoreFour last night. I haven't seen this since it was first released and had forgotten how dark, intense, and well-made it is. Part 2 (1980), which is on tonight, is probably the best of the bunch. I assume, the final part of the trilogy is on tomorrow. If you haven't seen it before I recommend you tune in for some thoroughly uncomfortable yet engrossing viewing.